Telecom Alert: 3.1-3.55 GHz Band Rulemaking Approved; UMFUS Auction Bids Total $1.9 B; E-Rate Eligible Services List Updated; 2020 USF Contribution Factor Proposed [Vol. XVI, Issue 50]
3.1-3.55 GHz Band Rulemaking Approved
Last week the FCC voted unanimously to approve a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would clear mid-band spectrum for commercial 5G services (Vol. XVI, Issue 48). The NPRM seeks to clear the 3.3-3.55 GHz band of existing non-federal users by removing the non-federal secondary radiolocation and amateur allocations, and proposes to relocate incumbent non-federal users out of the band. Comment and Reply Comment deadlines have not yet been established. For more information, please contact Greg Kunkle (kunkle@khlaw.com; 202.434.4178).
UMFUS Auction Bids Total $1.9 Billion
Bids in the FCC’s Auction 103 have totaled $1.9 billion after bidding closed for the day on Friday, December 13th. Auction 103 is the incentive auction of Upper Microwave Flexible Use Service (UMFUS) licenses in the Upper 37 GHz (37.6-38.6 GHz); 39 GHz (38.6-40 GHz); and 47 GHz (47.2-48.2 GHz) bands (Vol. XVI, Issue 27). For more information, please contact Wes Wright (wright@khlaw.com ; 202.434.4239).
E-Rate Eligible Services List Updated
Last week the FCC adopted an Order updating the eligible services list for funding year 2020 for the schools and libraries universal service support program (E-Rate). Category One services include dark fiber, high speed Internet access and Ethernet private line. Category Two services consist principally of in-building Wi-Fi connectivity components and including functionalities of this equipment that can be virtualized in the cloud. The Order also authorized the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) to open the annual application filing window for the E-Rate program within 45 days. For more information, please contact Tim Doughty (doughty@khlaw.com; 202.434.4271).
2020 USF Contribution Factor Proposed
Last week the FCC’s Office of Managing Director announced that the proposed universal service contribution factor for the first quarter of 2020 will be 21.2 percent. This would be a reduction from the fourth quarter of 2019, which was 25 percent. If the Commission takes no action regarding the projections of demand and administrative expenses associated with the universal service programs within 14 days of the date of the Public Notice, then the proposed factor will be deemed approved. For more information, please contact Doug Jarrett (jarrett@khlaw.com; 202.434.4180).
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